What I remember from a local train show yesterday was the fleam. I hadn’t seen once since running the Ozark Agriculture Museum. It’s a simple device. They were used to …
First Killing Frost
Trouble sleeping. After sunset I walk in the woods where stars sparkle above soaring oak and hickories. What’s that noise? An armadillo, bear or ghost? I’m nervous in the dark …
‘Beyond Van Gogh’ Presides at a Mall
What a huge tent! Maybe this can be repurposed for an Old Time revival? A Trump rally? Or peddling fireworks? Maybe a wedding at the country club? “Beyond Van …
Biscuits & Gravy with Screaming Pope
This day of remembrance recalls twelve years ago when the Ozarks suffered a derecho. This squally system with dozens of tornadoes toppled millions of trees, smashed property, totaled our car …
Earth Day at the Homeless Shelter
A freak blizzard early this week has meant snowmen coexisting with redbud trees in full bloom. The cold front probably nipped Ozark fruit and spring soirees. This photo is a …
Surprised by This Spring
Has anyone else wept for the blooming jonquils or the ten people shot in Colorado a few days ago? They take my breath away as I drive into Arkansas: random …
Another Capitol Demonstration
Did some hiking in Shannon County to escape bad news. Seeing the January 6 scenes of destruction of our Capitol in Washington caused eerie deja vu. Fifty years ago I …
A Black Man Hitches Through the Ozarks
Midsummer heat slows me while cruising back home. A man hunched over his backpack along busy U.S. 60 stops me cold. Usually hell-bent for our house after hanging out at …
Spring Burning and Thoughts of China
Driving from our cabin on the Jacks Fork a few days ago, March 17, I felt I was back in Rockies. South of US60 the horizon near Blue Buck Mountain …
Monuments New, Old and Possible
The last few days I’ve been finishing a book review for the oral history journal, a collection of essays History, Memory and Public Life, Routledge 2018. Potentially tedious because it’s somewhat …
Free Solo with Terry du Bose
I saw a great documentary recently about a young guy who climbs giant rock formations without ropes. Why would anyone take such risks? Having done a fair amount of rock …
Empathetic Incidence On the Campaign Trail
Abortion is one of the most contentious issues in contemporary campaigns. Here’s my feelings from August ’18 door knocking, a demanding activity that can dramatically help candidates. Yesterday afternoon I had …